A book that criticizes alternative medicine to treat conditions that have names but no criteria is controversial - because it runs up against a supplement and alternative medicine enabled by governments that believe science can't be trusted
Marcus Aurelius.By Robert S. Colter, University of Wyoming
Have you made your 2015 New Year's Resolutions yet? Toni BlayBy Jayashri Kulkarni, Monash University“I will definitely give up smoking – that’s my New Year’s resolution,” she stated emphatically as she thumped her fist on the table to underline her determination. “All very well”, I thought, as I sat opposite her in my medical consulting room in October.What is it about New Year’s resolutions that we find so compelling?
By David Glance, University of Western AustraliaOne of the characteristic features of Massive Open Online Courses is the observation that no matter how many students enroll in a course, only between 5 to 10% of them will ever complete it. Setting aside the argument of whether this actually means that MOOCs are considerably less “massive” than the name suggests, the interesting question is what is behind this high level of drop-outs and why does it seem so consistent?
They should have stuck to white wine.By Laurence Totelin, Cardiff UniversitySlightly over-indulged in wine this festive season? Suffering from throbbing headache, dry mouth, and nausea after the office Christmas party? The hair of the dog somehow does not appeal? Are you looking for time-tested cures? Fear not: these Greek and Roman remedies to alleviate a hangover or prevent one will come in handy.
Drawn directly from the flesh Public Domain Review/Flickr, CC BY-SABy Richard Gunderman, Indiana University-Purdue University
Let 'er rip! Simon James, CC BY-SABy Siobhan Weare, Lancaster University
2014: the year crystallography went mainstream. CSIRO, CC BY-SABy Mark Lorch, University of Hull’Tis the season for listicles rounding up the stories of the year. So with, the authority vested in me, here is a selection of six top, bottom and forgotten science stories of 2014.
Puffed rice with a bit of poison. ShutterstockBy Andy Meharg, Queen's University BelfastThere are two sides to rice: the grain that feeds half the world – and the primary carcinogenic source of inorganic arsenic in our diet.Arsenic is a natural occurring element that is ubiquitous in the environment. It is present primarily as inorganic arsenic, which is highly toxic.
Extreme weather is more common than ever. EPA, CC BY-NCBy Mark Maslin, University College LondonClimate change is one of the few scientific theories that makes us examine the whole basis of modern society. It is a challenge that has politicians arguing, sets nations against each other, queries individual lifestyle choices, and ultimately asks questions about humanity’s relationship with the rest of the planet.
The shirt Matt Taylor wore while being interviewed about the Rosetta space mission set off a media and online shirtstorm. Youtube/ ESABy Jamilla Rosdahl, University of the Sunshine Coast
By David Glance, University of Western AustraliaPeople of the western world have been making resolutions for the new year for over 4,000 years. The Babylonians, along with the Romans who later developed the idea further, made resolutions in the hope of favorable returns from the gods.
Frozen cold but not the way beyond absolute zero. Flickr/kriimurohelisedsilmad , CC BY-NC-SABy Tapio Simula, Monash University
